A Reflection from Mama Jane & Mama Vicki
There’s something so beautifully integrated about Natural Family Planning (NFP) and breastfeeding.
They’re not just two standalone practices for Catholic women—they are, at their core, united in purpose, grounded in trust, and overflowing with grace.
As we sat together for our latest episode of the
Cycles and Sanctity podcast, we were reminded again why this topic is so close to both of our hearts.
It's why Mama Jane and I (Mama Vicki) have such a strong friendship and ministry. (It helps that we are related - but it's this work that brings us closer together than any other members of our family.)
This is our lane.
We walk it together, and we want to walk it with you too.
They’re Not Separate—They’re Synergistic
Breastfeeding and NFP are not two unrelated things you do as a Catholic mom.
They’re both physical and spiritual practices that invite a woman to live out her motherhood fully—with intention, with awareness, and with God at the center.
Each one demands trust:
trust in your body,
trust in your spouse,
and trust in the Lord.
When you’re first learning either practice, it can feel wobbly.
But wobbling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re learning.
We often compare it to riding a bike. No one expects you to hop on and ride flawlessly down the street the first time. You wobble. You fall. You doubt yourself. And then—one day—you’re riding. Confident. Free. Trusting your balance.
That’s what happens with breastfeeding.
That’s what happens with NFP.
That’s what happens when you give yourself permission to be in process.
Our Bodies Were Made for This
One of the biggest lies we hear in our culture today is that our bodies are unreliable or broken.
We have been told we need to manage them instead of learning to trust them. That breastfeeding is “too hard,” and NFP is “too confusing.”
But let us remind you of the truth: your body is good.
It is capable. And it was designed by God Himself to do incredible things. Birth is a process. So is breastfeeding. So is discerning your fertility. None of it is instantaneous, and that’s okay.
We’re not meant to be vending machines or robots—we’re women, created uniquely in the image of God, learning to listen to and love our bodies with reverence.
Breastfeeding is not just about nutrition. And NFP is not just about fertility.
These are relational experiences.
They are acts of communion—between mother and child, between husband and wife, and between you and the Lord.
The Emotional Landscape
We want to speak honestly about how emotionally vulnerable these seasons are—especially right after birth. Postpartum is no joke.
It’s exhausting. It’s raw. And yes, the enemy loves to whisper doubts when we’re already at our weakest:
“You’re doing it wrong.”
“Your baby is hungry.”
“Your body isn’t working.”
“You’ll never figure this out.”
Sound familiar?
That's where Catholic mindset coaching comes in.
Those thoughts? They are not facts. They’re lies from the pit. And when we don’t catch them, they trigger emotional panic. That panic becomes stress. That stress impacts our ability to produce milk. And the spiral begins.
That’s why support matters.
That’s why it’s okay to cry. It’s okay to wobble. But let us be the voice that tells you:
You are doing it. Every time you offer your body, every time you soothe that baby, every time you make a charting observation (even if it’s the “same” again)—you are doing it.
The Spiritual Significance
God didn’t give us babies just to test our endurance.
He gave us babies to form our hearts.
Motherhood isn’t only about raising children. It’s about becoming the woman God made us to be.
That includes forming virtue, learning sacrifice, and growing in grace. It means leaning on your spouse, your community, and the Lord.
We talk often about the “Red Tent” in our episodes—a place where women gather to share wisdom, support each other, and normalize the reality of womanhood. If you don’t have a red tent, let us be yours.
You’re not meant to do this alone.
Our husbands need support too. Most of them grew up without ever seeing a woman breastfeed. And when they see us in distress, their natural instinct is to fix it—often by suggesting a bottle.
But there’s a learning curve for dads too. We’ve seen our husbands grow from confusion to confidence, from fear to support. Give them time. Invite them into the process. Allow them to wobble.
Breastfeeding as Natural Child Spacing
Let’s talk science for a second: breastfeeding suppresses ovulation. That’s not just nice theology—it’s biology.
But it’s not foolproof. You can’t rely on it without awareness. That’s where NFP comes in.
And here’s a vital truth: Ovulation precedes menstruation.
So if you’re not paying attention—if you’re not charting—it’s easy to be surprised by a pregnancy before you even see a period return.
This is why we encourage charting every day, even when it seems boring. Just like brushing your teeth, it’s a daily discipline that allows you to stay in touch with your body and discern God’s plan for your family.
Every Woman is Unique
Billings Ovulation Method Instructors teach you:
Every woman is unique. Every cycle is unique.
Mama Vicki says, "
Every breastfeeding session is unique too."
You’re not a machine. Your baby isn’t a machine. Your experience is going to differ not just from other women’s—but from day to day with the same baby! And that’s okay. That’s normal.
Just because your baby nursed every hour last night and is now sleeping for four doesn’t mean something’s wrong. That’s just the rhythm of life. That’s the beauty of trusting the process.
Blessings, Not Burdens
We live in a culture that calls breastfeeding and NFP burdens.
But we know the truth: they are blessings. And yes, blessings can be hard. They stretch you. They sanctify you. But they are not meant to make you miserable—they’re meant to make you holy.
If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like you just can’t do it anymore, it’s time for a mindset shift. That’s what
Catholic coaching is here for. You’re not weak for struggling. You’re a woman being invited into a deeper surrender.
God Delights in You
Let’s end with some good news, because you need to hear it:
The Lord Has Created You For This.
He doesn’t just want you to survive it—He wants you to thrive in it. Through breastfeeding. Through NFP. Through the highs and lows of family life. You’re not alone, and we’re honored to walk this path with you.
Let us close in gratitude to Our Father in heaven who made us:
“The Lord’s not just giving you children. He’s forming your heart.”
– Mama Jane & Mama Vicki
Journal Prompt:
- What thought have I been believing about my body or my motherhood?
- Is this a loving thought or a condemning thought?